Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeMay 2, 2018

Dinesh D’Souza isn’t the only Republican Party of Florida 2018 Sunshine Summit guest catching heat. The Florida Democratic Party on Wednesday criticized Dan Bongino, a former secret service agent and Republican pol who has tried — and failed — to capture high-profile elected seats in Maryland and Florida and is scheduled to speak at the Orlando […]

Drew WilsonMay 2, 2018

Nearly three quarters of Florida voters say they would support a ballot amendment to restore voting rights to ex-cons, a new poll found. The survey, conducted jointly by North Star Opinion Research and EMC Research, found that supermajority support for the measure regardless of the political party. “This amendment has the strong bipartisan support needed […]

Scott PowersMay 2, 2018

Because modern elections, like many 21st century business transactions, now may be won in part by the computer geeks with the biggest servers, the Republican National Committee says it likes its chances in Florida. The RNC’s operations already are in major position in Florida, which, as always, and particularly this year, is the state both […]

Drew WilsonMay 2, 2018

The Florida Police Benevolent Association on Wednesday announced endorsements for candidates running for executive branch positions in the fall. “The dangers law enforcement, probation and correctional officers face have placed our professions at a crossroads. Our members want leaders who value their service and sacrifices. The selected candidates have a well-established record of loyalty to […]

Scott PowersMay 2, 2018

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Gov. Rick Scott announced Wednesday he’ll be campaigning on a proposal to require Congress to recognize only super majority votes to pass tax or fee hikes. Scott, who pushed for such a measure with the Constitution Revision Commission, now contained in Amendment 5 going before voters this fall, touted the tax […]

Staff ReportsMay 2, 2018

FDLE corruption inspector Damien Kelly has been named director of the state’s new Office of Safe Schools, Education Commissioner Pam Stuart announced. The office was created in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school safety act passed by lawmakers at the tail end of the 2018 Legislative Session. “We are thrilled for Special Agent Kelly to join our team,” Stuart said in a statement. […]

Drew WilsonMay 2, 2018

Sebring Sen. Denise Grimsley announced Tuesday that she’d earned the support of several county sheriffs in her bid to replace termed-out Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam in the fall. “I am truly grateful for the support of 10 Florida sheriffs who have endorsed my campaign,” Grimsley said. “Our local law enforcement officers put their lives on […]

Drew WilsonMay 1, 2018

Gigi Simmons won Tuesday’s election for the District 1 seat on the Gainesville City Commission, knocking out Charles Goston after one term. The race was decided shortly after polls closed at 7 pm, when the unofficial count made available by the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections showed Simmons with a 59-41 lead with five of […]

Danny McAuliffeMay 1, 2018

Amid calls from many to reconsider allowing controversial conservative Dinesh D’Souza to speak at its summer conference, the Republican Party of Florida added one of D’Souza’s critics to its list of speakers. RPOF Chair Blaise Ingoglia said in a news release Tuesday that Matt Schlapp, chair of the American Conservative Union, and Grover Norquist would be speaking at […]

Staff ReportsMay 1, 2018

Florida employers will see another workers’ compensation insurance rate decrease on June 1. The Office of Insurance Regulation approved a 1.8 percent decrease Tuesday. The move had been sought by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, which proposes workers’ compensation rates in the state. NCCI lowered insurers’ profit and contingency factor — essentially, their cut […]

Headlines

Democrats: Sunshine Summit speaker Dan Bongino is bad, too

Voters overwhelmingly support felon voting rights amendment

Of whiskey, magazines, and the Republicans’ new targeting tools

Police association announces Governor, Cabinet endorsements

Rick Scott pushing ‘supermajority’ proposal for Congress tax hikes

Personnel note: Damien Kelly named director of Office of Safe Schools

10 sheriffs back Denise Grimsley for Agriculture Commissioner

Gigi Simmons wins runoff for Gainesville City Commission

After inviting Dinesh D’Souza to summit, Florida GOP adds speaker who blocked D’Souza speech

Workers’ comp premiums going down again